Ulster Side to Face Stormers in SA Announced.

1. Eric O’Sullivan

2. Rob Herring

3. Marty Moore

4. Alan O’Connor ©

5. Kieran Treadwell

6. Greg Jones

7. Marcus Rea

8. Duane Vermeulen

9. John Cooney

10. Billy Burns

11. Rob Lyttle

12. Stuart McCloskey

13. Stewart Moore

14. Craig Gilroy

15. Mike Lowry.

The squad to face South African side, Stormers, in Cape Town, has been announced and there’s a few interesting picks and a few tactical omissions.

In the front row usual first picks Herring and Moore line up alongside O’Sullivan, who of recent times has been a reliable sub secondary to Andy Warwick. It would seem McFarland is saving Warwick for next weeks clash with The Bulls. It’s also worth keeping in mind that some of these players may be left out not only to save them for next week but because it may just be taking them a touch longer to acclimatise. No doubt it’s not easy conditions to take part in intense physical activity.

In the second row there’s no surprise with Treadwell and O’Connor. O’Connor captains the side on what is his 150th cap for the province. With Kearney on the bench I would assume a fresh second row of Sam Carter and Henderson is being preserved for next week. Any combination of the four main choice second rows will never fail to do the job. Kearney is the ever reliable second row replacement who may be in the same position come next week if McFarland feels both Treadwell and O’Connor need rest. However, I have a feeling the terminator, Alan O’Connor, will pair with Henderson next week. O’Connor has never heard of the petty words “tired” or “injury”.

The backrow boasts near full strength with only Timoney missing from the starting line-up. Whilst Timoney is, by all means, the first choice it doesn’t feel like much of a drop to put in the tough and experienced Greg Jones. Complimented with the turnover machine, Marcus Rea, and the South African stalwart, Duane Vermeulen, McFarland is not messing around with that backrow.

At halfback, the arguably strongest, pairing of Cooney and Burns is deployed (well done Doak for making me question whether that’s the full strength pairing or not). The old familiar 9/10 of Cooney and Burns will be in full force on the dry, fast pitch that 25 degree conditions are guaranteed to provide. Expect Burns to be looking out for a cross field kick or two if the wind stays calm or works in his favour. Similarly look out for Cooney on those signature support lines, again aided by the dry pitch.

In the centre, Ulster faithful Stuart McCloskey lines out but without his usual partner in Hume. Moore dons the 13 shirt instead. Moore has come into his own, getting more game time at 13 with Hume tied up in international duty. His pairing with McCloskey is one that hasn’t been massively tested but one I have no doubts about.

In the back line, Ireland’s newly capped fullback Michael Lowry, finds himself at 15 and another player who benefits from quick, messy play. If Ulster can disrupt the Stormers Mike Lowry can likely clean up and capitalise on the chaos. Lastly on the wings, Gilroy and Lyttle combine to form a less common 11/14 axis. No lack of experience in Gilroy and no lack of dirty step potential in Lyttle makes for an exciting prospect in the backline as we know exactly what the mercurial Lowry can do.

Whilst this is a strong Ulster team, with names like Kitshoff, Malherbe and Willemse in the mix for The Stormers, and conditions working in the South African’s favour, it certainly won’t be an easy game. What I can almost guarantee however, is that it will be a great game to watch whichever way it goes.